Clasp.



110449.249. PATENTED APR.2,1907.

- P. (LLAWLESS. I

GLASP.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.-21,1904.

jhvenfa TERS ca WASHINGT'ON, v. c.

of a and a portion of the surface of b.

two pieces a and b are forced toward one UNITED STATES I'IENT OFFICE.

CLASP- ivc. 849,249.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 2, 1907.

Application filed October 21,1904. Serial No: 229,461.

To all 20/2/0771 it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP CHARLES LAW- LESS, a subject of GreatBritain, residing at No. 50 Parliament Hill, I-Iampstead, London,England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a securing-clip; and it consists of thefeatures and arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which show four examples of theuse of the device, Figure 1 is a view in isometric projection, showingin the open position a form of construction suitable for clippingtogether a number of sheets of paper. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 show a modifiedform adapted for the pur pose of a tie-clip. Of these Fig. 2 is a plan,Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is asection along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a part sectionalelevation showing the device applied to the lid of an ink-bottle, andFigs. 6 and 7 are two views of a form of construction suitable for abuckle for a belt or band.

In these views it will be seen that a piece a is adapted to be angularlydisplaced relatively to a piece I) by turning about a fulcrum whichconsists of the edge 0 of the bent p ilild another by means of a spring(1 of C-shaped section, the edges of which are prevented fromdisplacement relatively to the surfaces of a and b on which they pressby the formation of fangs c and f on the edges of the spring and theprovision of slits or notches on the pieces a and b, into which thefangs e and f are inserted. By means of the fangs and notches thedisplacement of the edges of the spring relatively to the pieces a and bwill be prevented both in the direction of the length of the edges andalso in a direction at right angles thereto. The piece I) has a bent endg, so situated that its surface forms an abutment for the corner h atthe bend of the piece a, which on the angular divergence of a from bthrusts the fulcrum edge 0 of a toward the fang f of the spring. .Thespring at exerts a pair of equal and opposite pressures on the pieces aand b in the direction of a line shown in Fig. 3, joining the points 6f, which points are at the edges of the spring (1. In the closedposition of the pieces the fulcrum is in its most remote position fromthis line e so that the spring then acts with the maximum leverage,tending to maintain the pieces in their closed position.

When the pieces a and b are forced into a divergent position, theconsequent approach of the fulcrum toward the line of ressure e f willcause a rapid diminution of the leverage of the spring-pressure. Withthis diminution of leverage there will be only a very small enlargementof the distance between the edges 6 f and increase in the closing forceof the spring, so that the moment of the closing force will becomequickly less as the pieces are caused to become angularly diverged. Thisfeature of the contrivance is of considerable value for the purposesabove enumerated.

When the pieces have been angularly diverged to such a position that thefulcrum edge 0 of a coincides with the line 6 f then the leverage willhave been reduced to zero, and if this divergence is slightly exceededand the edge 0 is permitted to pass to the other side of the line efthen the force of the spring will operate to tend to increase thedivergence, which, if not limited, will cause a dislocation of theparts. To prevent this, a limit is imposed to the movement of thefulcrum edge 0. This may be effected by raising a spur i by bending outof its plane a por tion of the material of b, as shown in Fig. 6; but astill more simple method of arresting the angular divergence is byprolonging the fang f of the spring sufficiently for it to protrudeabove the internal surface of b, as shown in Figs. 1,'3, and 5. In thiscase in order that the fulcrum edge may pass a slight distance beyondthe line of the closing force 6 f of the spring the edge 0 is notched toa small extent, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5. This second feature ofthe contrivance, whereby the spring maintains the divergent position,will enable the invention to satisfy the requirements of the purposesbefore mentioned in a completely satisfactory way.

In order that the fulcrum edge 0 may be forced away from the line 6 fwhen the parts a and b resume the closed position after being opened,the slit in a, into which the fang e is inserted, is made a littlefarther from the line 6 f than the corresponding slit in b, whereby theclosing force of the spring, acting in the direction of the line ef,will tend to cause the edge 0 to slide into the corner made by thebent-up portion g.

.toward a a spur 1), formed on b.

Four examples of the use of the device are illustrated by way ofexample; but numerous other applications may be cited.

As before stated, Figs. 2% show the device in the form of a clip forsecuring a necktie to the shirt-front. In order to intensify the grip,it is localized at a short leverage from the joint by turning downwardtoward b two ears (1/ a, formed on a, and bending upward To facilitatethe separation of a from b when desired, the end of a is prolongedbeyond I) and the sides of I) extend beyond those of a. Both a and b areslightly curved, as shown by the section in Fig. 4, in order to enhancethe stiffness of the parts. As adapted to secure the lid of an.ink-bottle, (shown in Fig. 5,) the pieces a and b. are each providedwith rings. The ring a embraces the neck of the lid and the ring theneck of the bottle. In other respects the construction is as beforedescribed. When employed for a buckle for a band, as shown in Figs. 6and 7, the loose endj of the band is passed in such a manner between theclipping portions of the pieces a and bnamely, be tween the spiked end7c of a and a bent portion m of bthat the tension of the band willoperate to draw the clipping-surfaces toa and 6 having bent endsinclosed within the hollow of the spring, the fulcrum consisting of anedge of a, and a portion of the surface of b, a portion of the part bacting to thrust the fulcrum edge of part a toward the line of pressureof the closing force of the spring, and

diminish its leverage of pressure when the portions a and Z) are causedto angularly diverge from one another.

2. A clasp composed of two pleces a and I),

- which pivot one 011 the other about a disspring d, the displaceablefulcrum consisting of an edge of the piece a' and a portion of thesurface of the piece 6, a portion of piece I) acting to thrust thefulcrum edge of piece a toward the line of pressure of the closing forceof the spring when the pieces a and b are caused to angularly divergefrom one another and a stop for preventing the continued divergence ofpieces a and b when the displaceable fulcrum reaches the line ofpressure.

3. A clasp composed of two pieces a and I), which pivot one on the otherabout adisplaceable fulcrum, said pieces having slits therein, a spring(Z on the operating edges of which fangs are formed which engage saidslits, said pieces a and I) having bent ends which are inclosed withinthe hollow of the spring at, the displaceable fulcrum consisting of anedge of piece a and a portion of thesurface of piece I), a portion ofpiece 6 acting to thrust the fulcrum edge of piece a toward the line ofpressure of the closing force'of the spring when the pieces a and b arecaused to angularly diverge from one another, the con tinued divergenceof pieces a and bbeing prevented by the fang of the spring (1 which isinserted in the slit in piece 6 operating as a stop to limit thedisplacement of the fulcrum edge of piece a.

4. A clasp composed of two pieces a and b which pivot one on the otherabout a displaceable fulcrum, said pieces having slits therein, a spring(1 on the operating edges of which fangs are formed which are insertedin said slits, said pieces a and b having bent ends which. are inclosedwithin the hollow of the spring d, the displaceable fulcrum consistingof an edge of (t and a portion of the surface of I), the piece a havinga notch formed in its fulcrum edge, a portion of piece I) acting tothrust the fulcrum edge'of piece a toward the line of pressure of theclosing force of the spring to a distance limited by the contact of theinner edge of the notch formed in the fulcrum edge of a with one of thefangs formed on the spring g.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

PHILIP CHARLES LAI/VLESS. I/Vitnessesc THOMAS ALFRED HEARsoN, IVALTER I.SKERTEN.

